Japanese Persimmon Diospyros kaki

Beautiful, delicious and easy to grow, large-fruited Oriental persimmons offer year-round interest in the landscape. A deciduous tree from the Ebenaceae or ebony (non-fruit bearing) or persimmon (fruit bearing) family, it is native in Eastern Asia and India.  They thrive in eastern North Carolina and the southern piedmont but do not tolerate temperatures below 10°F. The genus name Diospyros is derived from the Greek words dios (divine) and pyros (grain or wheat).  Therefore, persimmon is the “divine fruit” or “wheat of Zeus.”  Kaki is its Japanese name.  Recommended varieties include Fuyu, Jiro, and Hana Gosho.

Trees are usually dioecious, meaning separate male and female trees, but some trees have both male and female flowers.  In some cases, some have perfect flowers.  Also, the trees are parthenocarpic which means they may set seedless fruit without pollination.  Regardless, planting more than one variety is recommended especially if large fruit yields is a goal but not required for fruit set. The trees grow best in loamy, moist but well-drained soils with a pH of 6.0 to 6.5 in full sun but thrive on a wide range of soils. Oriental persimmons generally bloom mid-April so avoid damage from late frosts.

With spectacular autumn foliage and fruit that extends the harvest late into the fall, they are an excellent addition to an edible landscape.  Fruit can stay on the tree after the leaves have fallen, giving an attractive addition to a winter garden. Fruit from these non-astringent varieties can be sliced like a tomato and eaten raw or they can be used in a variety of baked goods.  

Oriental persimmons may not bloom or bear fruit right away.  Oriental persimmons need to be 4-6 years old before they start to bear fruit.  Once they do, they should bear fruit every year, although a heavy crop one year, may cause a smaller crop the next.  

The Oriental persimmon can be placed in a lawn or naturalized area, an Asian, winter or edible garden.  It can be trained as an espalier or pruned as a hedge or screen away from foot traffic or wet soil.  They have no serious insect or disease problems and they do not require annual pruning like some other deciduous fruit trees. However, they do produce root suckers.  Remove promptly unless a naturalized effect is wanted.

Quick ID Hints:

• Bark is deeply fissured or furrowed in shapes of rectangles or squares

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Scale, mealybug and leaf spot can occur. Fruit drop can be messy.